Dark Lies (Magic Side: Wolf Bound 3)

“It’s getting crazy in here,” she said, opening a couple beers. “You should go to the back and check on Jaxson.”

“Are you sure about that?” I’d never seen that look on his face before, and it scared the shit out of me.

Sam nodded. “You’re the only one who can knock some sense into him. Trust me, he needs you.”

I sighed. “All right. Text me if things get too wild and you need backup.”

“Mm-hmm.”

I slipped around her and accidentally kicked the bin of empty glass bottles, which was almost overflowing. “Want me to dump these in the recycling?”

She glanced down and frowned. “Would you mind? That’d be great. It’s just out back.”

Sam looked exhausted, and I could sense her agitation. She commanded the bar, but tonight was more hectic than I’d seen the place, and I could tell that Jaxson’s outburst had unsettled her, too. “No problem, just take it easy and text me.”

I could still hear the heavy metal ringing through the walls as I walked down the hall to Jaxson’s office. The glass bottles clinked as I set the bin down outside of his door and knocked.

“Come.” His voice carried through the door, and I was terrified what I would find on the other side. With a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped inside.

Jaxson was sitting in his chair, elbows on his knees as he cleaned off his bloodied knuckles with a white washcloth.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his gravelly voice sending prickles over my skin.

The room was dark except for a single desk lamp. It cut his face and features with hard light and deep shadows, emphasizing his muscles.

I couldn’t decide if I wanted to run or to climb into his lap and let him consume me.

What the hell was I thinking? The man’s hands had been covered with blood—and very little of it had been his.

My wolf snickered. I don’t blame you.He’s a powerful beast.

Oh, God.

Feeling flushed, I finally found my voice. “I’m fine. Are you okay?”

The way Jaxson looked at me made me want to melt into the walls. His presence was crushing, yet irresistible.

Before I could breathe, he was on his feet—just inches from me, sliding his hand behind my neck. He gazed down, his golden eyes smoldering as his molten heat drilled into me. Fuck. Me.

“I said I wasn’t going to let anyone touch you,” he growled.

I licked my lips. “You were looking murderously at every man I served.”

His pupils dilated, and a sinful smile ghosted his lips as he traced his thumb over my cheekbone.

“Have I frightened you? You’re shaking.” His hand slipped around my waist, and I shivered with need.

“Am I?” I said breathlessly.

“I told you my wolf was possessive.” He lowered his face and traced his nose along my neck, breathing me in. “And so am I.”

The feminist part of me wanted to tell him to fuck off, but the other half? Right now, the other half wanted to bone the werewolf king.

“Jaxson…” I slid my hand up and grabbed the back of his head so that I could look at his face. I was trembling. Not from fear, but from the sheer weight of emotions that were washing over me. Fear. Lust. Desire. Uncertainty.

They were nothing compared to what I saw on his face. This man was awash with feelings, all conflicting and warring against each other. Did he hate me or love me?

There was a crash from outside, and he froze.

Just like that, the spell was shattered. I was in the arms of a man who, minutes before, had beaten someone unconscious with his bare hands.

A pounding fist shook the door. I quickly released Jaxson and stepped away. He regarded me closely, his eyes trying to bore into my soul. The pounding continued.

“Are you going to answer that?” I asked, my pulse hammering against my chest.

As if waking from a tortured dream, Jaxson tensed and glanced at the door. He looked down at me and growled. “Tony is going to take you home.”

“But—”

He cupped my face with his hand. “Trust me, I know when the bar isn’t safe, and that’s now. Tonight, I’m your boss, and this discussion is final. You will go home, and Tony will give you a ride.”

He stalked out of the office and shut the door, leaving me alone in the single light of the lamp. Low voices muttered outside. One of the bouncers mentioned a brawl that had broken out inside the bar.

I dragged my hands through my hair. This night was going off the rails. Jaxson’s overbearing protectiveness was hot in the moment, but how was I supposed to deal with a guy like that?

Possessiveness and domineering were typically not my speed, but…

A knock sounded at the door, followed by Tony’s voice: “Savannah?”

I popped through the door and nodded to the sandy-haired man, who was one of Jaxson’s right-hand men.

He ushered me through the unruly crowd and out the front into the cool night air. One of the pack vehicles was already waiting.

I turned back. “Wait! My tips!”